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Big Balanced Hands |
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Anybody who reads the news-sheet fairly regularly will know of one my pet hates – |
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the need to open 3NT (or rebid 3NT having opened 2♣ or 2♦ ) with a 25+ balanced hand. |
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My favourite solution is to play Benjamin twos, but the original Benjamin has: - |
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2NT opening = 19-20; 2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT = 21-22; and 2♦ - 2♥ - 2NT = 23 -24; |
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(or some variation) and with 25 + you still have to make the silly leap to 3NT. |
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So what's the solution? It's very nice to have precise two step intervals. But opening 2NT (directly or indirectly) with 19 points certainly is not my cup of tea; and I most certainly do not want to play a system where you have to bid 3NT with 25+ (partner does not know whether to pass or try Stayman/transfers when he is virtually bust – often the case). |
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My recommended solution is: - |
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Playing Benjamin twos |
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Playing the Multi 2♦ |
| 18-19 |
1x - 1y - 2NT (a) |
18-19 |
1x - 1y - 2NT (a) |
| 20-21 |
2NT |
20-21 |
2NT |
| 22-24 |
2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT |
22-24 |
2♦ - 2♥ - 2NT |
| 25+ |
2♦ - 2♥ - 2NT |
25+ |
2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT |
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So you never need the silly leap to 3NT when playing my treatment of either of these systems. |
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Thus with these two conventions we have: - |
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Playing Benjamin twos a 2♦ opening is absolutely game forcing and 2♣ is a strong hand, either 8-9 playing tricks in an unspecified suit or a balanced 22-24. |
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Playing Multi 2♦ then the 2♣ opening is absolutely game forcing and 2♦ is whatever selection of meanings you choose including the 22-24 balanced hand. |
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With either system the 3NT opening is best played as the Gambling 3NT promising a long (7+) solid minor with absolutely no ace or king outside. |
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Note that Benjamin (and Multi 2♦ ) both work perfectly well with Standard American or with Two-Over-One (2/1). It's a shame that most Americans have not realised this yet. |
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The above structures work whether you play a strong NT or a weak NT (except that weak No Trump players may play 1x - 1y - 2NT as 17-19 if 1x -1y - 1NT is 15-16 as in basic Acol). |
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When the bidding starts with an effective 2NT opening (directly or 2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT or 2♦ - 2♥ - 2NT in either system) then responder can use both Stayman and transfers below the level of 3NT. This is the whole point . |
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When the bidding starts with a 1x - 1y - 2NT (18-19) then I play that any bid by responder is game forcing and more established pairs might also like to play New Minor Forcing or Checkback Stayman. |
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The sequence 1♣/♦ - 1something - 3NT (b) is best used to show a strong hand with a good long suit in the minor opened. |
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The sequence 1x- 2y (y lower ranking than x) - 3NT may be either hand type (a) or (b). |
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If, having read this, you still do not like to use 2♦ in one of these ways and prefer to struggle along with just 2♣ as your only strong bid, then have a look at the Kokish Relay; but Benjamin or the Multi 2♦ really is the best solution. You Americans should come out of your shell and realise that occasionally the Europeans have got it right. |
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The American invented the fantastic 2/1 system but are still in the middle of the last century as regards strong balanced hand openings. |
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Pattaya Bridge Club - |
www.pattayabridge.com |
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